How to run statute of limitations in DocketMath for New Hampshire

Step-by-step

This guide shows you how to run the statute of limitations in DocketMath for New Hampshire (US-NH) using the Statute of Limitations calculator at /tools/statute-of-limitations.

DocketMath calculates deadlines based on rule selection and date inputs, so the biggest wins are (1) choosing the right claim type and (2) entering the correct date(s) for your scenario, including any discovery or tolling options that apply in the calculator.

1) Start the calculator and confirm jurisdiction

1. Open the calculator: /tools/statute-of-limitations
2. Set Jurisdiction: New Hampshire (US-NH).

For New Hampshire, the calculator’s baseline mapping is anchored by N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, I.

Source (statute text): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm

2) Choose the claim type that matches your situation

In the calculator, select the claim type that best fits the cause of action you’re analyzing.

DocketMath’s New Hampshire configuration maps many common categories to a 3-year limitation, with some categories longer (for example, wrongful death is 6 years, and UCC sale of goods is 4 years in the calculator’s mapping).

Use this quick reference (these periods are the ones reflected in the calculator configuration):

If you’re unsure, pick the closest match, run the calculator, and then adjust the claim type if your result seems inconsistent with your scenario.

3) Enter the key dates the calculator needs

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is date-driven. You’ll typically enter:

• Date of incident / accrual anchor (the baseline event date you’re using)
• Date discovery occurred (only if your selected option/rule set in the calculator supports discovery)
• Any tolling inputs required by the calculator when you enable a tolling option

In this New Hampshire setup, the discovery/tolling options can change how the calculator determines the effective start used to compute the final deadline.

4) Turn on discovery (only if your claim type supports it in the calculator)

When discovery is supported for your selected rule set, the calculator should show an option related to discovery (for example, applying a discovery rule or using a discovery date).

New Hampshire configuration note: discovery logic is enabled in the calculator configuration.

To run a discovery-based scenario:

1. Enter the discovery date (the date you want the calculator to treat as the discovery trigger).
2. Ensure the calculator’s discovery toggle/option is enabled.

If the computed deadline looks surprising, re-check:

• you entered the correct incident/anchor date, and
• the discovery date you entered is the one you intend the calculator to use.

5) Apply tolling options—especially mental incapacity

DocketMath includes tolling options for New Hampshire based on the calculator configuration. One tolling rule that is explicitly enabled is:

• Mental incapacity tolling

To use it:

1. Select mental incapacity in the tolling/times panel.
2. Provide the incapacity timing inputs required by the calculator (use the fields shown by the tool).

Pitfall: Tolling can change the computed deadline even if the incident/anchor date stays the same. If you accidentally leave mental incapacity tolling enabled after an exploratory run, it may extend the deadline and lead to confusion when you compare results.

6) Compare baseline vs. adjusted runs

A practical workflow is to run the calculator multiple times with clearly documented settings:

• Scenario A (baseline): discovery off (or not selected), tolling off
• Scenario B (adjusted): discovery on and/or tolling on (mental incapacity, if relevant)

When you compare outputs, you can tell whether the calculator is behaving consistently with your inputs and toggles.

7) Keep your run grounded in the statute used by the calculator

This New Hampshire guide is anchored to the baseline framework reflected in:

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, I (primary)

Source: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm

If your DocketMath run corresponds to a government-related claim type supported by the calculator mapping, it may also reference:

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 541-B:14, IV

Source: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/541-B/541-B-14.htm

Gentle disclaimer: This guide explains how to use DocketMath and interpret its calculator inputs/outputs. It’s not legal advice and can’t determine outcomes for a specific matter.

Common pitfalls

• Selecting the wrong claim type

  • Claim types can map to different limitation periods (for example, 3 years vs. 4 years vs. 6 years).

• Using a discovery date when discovery isn’t actually enabled for your selected option

  • DocketMath will only apply discovery logic when the calculator setting/rule set supports it.

• Forgetting to disable mental incapacity tolling after testing

  • Leaving tolling on during a later run can make the deadline appear inconsistent.

• Comparing results without recording what changed

  • Write down:

    • claim type
    • incident/anchor date
    • discovery toggle/date (if used)
    • tolling toggle and timing inputs (if used)

• Assuming “baseline” and “with discovery/tolling” are the same

  • In this calculator configuration, results can reflect variants like “baseline” versus “with discovery rule/equitable tolling,” which changes what start point the calculator uses.

Try it

To test the New Hampshire configuration quickly:

1. Open /tools/statute-of-limitations
2. Set Jurisdiction: New Hampshire (US-NH)
3. Pick a claim type commonly mapped to 3 years (for example, breach of oral contract)
4. Enter an incident/anchor date
5. Run once with discovery off
6. Run again with discovery on and enter a discovery date
7. If relevant to your analysis, run a third time with mental incapacity tolling enabled

Then compare the computed deadline across the runs and verify the shift matches the discovery/tolling settings you selected.

For statute grounding while you test:

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, I: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm

Related reading

• Statute of limitations in United States (Federal): how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Why statute of limitations results differ in United States (Federal) — Troubleshooting when results differ
• Statute of limitations reference snapshot for United States (Federal) — Rule summary with authoritative citations